The HHBA (Historic Harrison Business Association) and Signature Bank hosted a meeting featuring the “Tastes of Downtown.” Eight downtown eateries provided delicious food. One guest said, “I didn’t realize we had so many good places to eat in downtown Harrison.”
For the program, the Downtown Strategies Committee revealed the results of the public survey held last spring about downtown Harrison. The committee also released the five-year plan for downtown revitalization, as suggested by the national organization Downtown Strategies and Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEED).
Last year, Mayor Jackson appointed Mike Nabors to chair a committee to develop a five-year plan for downtown revitalization.
At the same time, NWAEDD received notification of a grant from Retail Strategies to provide Harrison with a five-year plan of action for downtown improvements.
Downtown Strategies hosted an online survey which almost 500 community members completed, sharing the details of revitalization that were most important to them.
The question was asked, “What could go wrong?”
It was acknowledged there are so many variables, including regulations, decision-makers, lack of funds, and multiple partnerships needed for change. However, the committee and downtown owners are dedicated to tackling these obstacles. Underperforming properties are a big challenge, especially when the property has generational owners who don’t live in the area.
The committee is working on incentives, including the possibility of a facades or vibrancy enhancements grant. It was made very clear that the committee has not officially approached the city or county to ask for their financial support or blessings.
Downtown Strategies presented some slides of improvements that could be made almost immediately. The city has already begun many projects, such as the Downtown Beautification project.
The committee hopes to propose a minimum maintenance code or vacant property registration ordinance to the City Council soon.
The City Council has already approved the organization of a Historic District Commission. COO/Engineer Wade Phillips said he is close to having the names ready to propose to the Council for approval.
The committee also hopes to propose the adoption of an IEBC Building Code. The International Building Code (IBC) is for existing buildings, and the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) could make it easier to remodel and update historic buildings.
Another concept presented was a slide of the “white box” concept, which takes a huge space and builds temporary walls so potential retailers can envision a smaller, more realistic space to work.
The downtown area's progress has already been accomplished with items such as the City Beautification project, the rebirth of HHBA (Historic Harrison Business Association), a digital billboard campaign, the Historic Preservation Commission, additional law enforcement visible, and restriping the parking places.
Future goals for HHBA include returning the city to the Main Street Designation, hiring a part-time person to promote downtown businesses, hosting six to eight small events during the year, and determining whether 75% of storefronts can be improved in some way.
Regular bi-monthly HHBA meetings will be set for 2025 on the third Monday of every other month, beginning with February 17.
Harrison Market President for Signature Bank of Arkansas, Karlea Newberry said, “Final numbers for the meeting Monday were 57 people represented 36 different businesses. That’s 40% of the businesses that were invited attended. Even if only 40% of the downtown area were making small improvements, that could look like a whole lot very quickly, So I hope they take some of those ideas and we start seeing little movements and the information will gain support on the big movements!”
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